Curriculum We use a guided curriculum in all of our dance classes. All students learn dance terminology, technique and numerous combinations throughout the year. We do not spend the entire year working on one recital routine. Choreography for recital is not taught until the spring semester and it is only the focus of a portion of the class.
Technique We believe a solid foundation in technique is extremely important for any dancer. Proper technique enables students to execute movements and steps precisely. Ballet is the foundation for all forms of dance. Technique learned in ballet classes can be applied to skills learned in jazz, tap, hip hop and musical theatre. Although the study of ballet is not required for enrollment in all of our classes, we strongly encourage all dancers to pursue ballet training. Students who take a ballet class in addition to hip hop, for instance, will progress more rapidly than their peers who do not.
Placement We believe proper class placement will enable each student to develop as a dancer. Placement is determined by the Director of Dance, Cheryl Morris. Some classes do require teacher permission, while others do not. If you wish to enroll your child in a class that requires permission, please email Cheryl Morris, at cheryl@artworksacademy.com. All current students will receive a placement guide, which lists the level of dance in which you should enroll your child. You do not need to email Cheryl for permission to enroll in an upper level class if it is listed on your placement guide.
Mommy and Me is aimed at developing gross motor skills, classroom etiquette (following directions, taking turns, etc.), and dance movement. This class is designed for students who are not ready to enter the classroom without mommy by their side, but still love to move and dance! Parents: you only need to enroll your child in the class. Do not enroll yourself or the system will charge you twice. This class will not perform in the recital.
Teacher approval is not required
Creative movement is aimed at developing gross motor skills, classroom etiquette (following directions, taking turns, etc.), and learning beginning tap and rhythm. Students will begin the year in ballet shoes, when the teacher feels the students are ready, they will also start dancing in their tap shoes. Students must be two by the first day of class to enroll.
Teacher approval is not required
PreDance I-II: 3-5 year olds
Young dancers will learn the basics of tap, ballet, and jazz. Part of each class is spent on technique as well as various creative movement and gross motor development activities (i.e. basic tumbling, skipping, galloping, balancing, and much, much more).
Teacher approval is not required
Boys Combo: 4-7 year olds
This one hour combo class will provide boys with a solid foundation in dance technique for ballet, jazz, and tap. They will gain an understanding of beginning dance terminology and skills. Each week they will spend half the class working on steps and rhythms for tap and half the class developing the strength, flexibility and technique needed for jazz or ballet.
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet/Tap Combo: Kindergarten - 8 year olds
This one hour combo class focuses on basic dance technique for ballet and tap. Students will gain an understanding of beginning dance terminology and skills. They will also develop a sense of rhythm and flexibility through various dance steps and combinations.
C1: Teacher approval is not required
C2: Teacher approval required
Hip Hop: Kindergarten - 8 year olds
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes. Students must also be enrolled in Ballet/Tap Combo.
Teacher approval is not required
Boys Combo: 4-7 year olds
This one hour combo class will provide boys with a solid foundation in dance technique for ballet, jazz, and tap. They will gain an understanding of beginning dance terminology and skills. Each week they will spend half the class working on steps and rhythms for tap and half the class developing the strength, flexibility and technique needed for jazz or ballet.
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet: 7-12 year olds
Ballet is the foundation of all dance technique. Solid training in this genre will allow a performer to easily adjust to the various dance styles seen in dance and musical theatre industries. Our classes place equal emphasis on technique, alignment, terminology and execution as well as musicality and a love of the art form.
J1: Teacher approval is required for 7 and 8 year olds, but not for 9 and 10 year olds
J2: Teacher approval is required
Jazz/Tap Combo: 7-12 year olds
This one hour combo class focuses on jazz and tap technique. This class builds on the foundation a student gains through ballet and teaches them to use their technique as they explore different steps and styles. Combinations will be used to develop performance skills. Students must also be enrolled in Ballet.
J1: Teacher approval is required for 7 and 8 year olds, but not for 9 and 10 year olds
J2: Teacher approval is required
Hip Hop: 7-12 year olds
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes.
Teacher approval is not required
Modern/Lyrical Dance: 10-12 year olds
Modern and lyrical are dance styles that focus on expressively communicating the song through movement. They tell a story from the stage. Students will focus on spacial awareness, timing, shape and movement dynamics.
Teacher approval is not required
Homeschool Dance: 7-10 year olds
This class will provide a combination of dance technique, terminology, and history so that homeschooled students can gain an appreciation of the art of dance while learning to perform the various styles the dance world has to offer. Students will study ballet every week. Each month we will study a different style of dance for the second half of class. Styles to be studied will include: jazz, tap, lyrical/liturgical, modern, and theatre dance. In this class, students will gain solid ballet technique while gaining an overview of the many other styles of dance and their history.
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet: 11-18 year olds
Ballet is the foundation of all dance technique. Solid training in this genre will allow a performer to easily adjust to the various dance styles seen in dance and musical theatre industries. Our classes place equal emphasis on technique, alignment, terminology and execution as well as musicality and a love of the art form.
S1: Teacher approval is required for 11 and 12 year olds, but not for 13 and up
S2/3: Teacher approval is required. Students must attend twice a week.
Pre-Pointe/Pointe: 13-18 year olds
Pre-Pointe is a class designed to help students develop the strength and skills needed to dance on Pointe. The class is open to students currently placed in Senior 2/3 Ballet. To be considered for Pointe work students must be enrolled in TWO ballet technique classes each week and Pre-Pointe. Regular evaluations of students strength, alignment, and balance will be done to determine a student's readiness for Pointe.
*The decision for placing a student on Pointe will be made by the students instructor(s). This decision is based on a students strength, placement, technical proficiency, understanding of terminology, as well as class attendance and participation.
Teacher approval is required
***Read the blog article, "When Can My Daughter Start Pointe?", written by Cheryl Morris on our blog.
Jazz: 11-18 year olds
Jazz classes study a variety of styles within the genre of jazz - classical technique, contemporary dance, and lyrical jazz. These classes build on the foundation a student gains through ballet and teaches them to use their technique as they explore different steps and styles. Students will work on strength and flexibility, as well as the execution of various kicks, leaps, and turns. Combinations will be used to develop performance skills. Students must also be enrolled in Ballet.
S1: Teacher approval is required for 11 and 12 year olds, but not for 13 and up
S2/3: Teacher approval is required
Tap: 11-18 year olds
Tap focuses on developing rhythm and speed through intricate footwork. Students will learn proper execution and rhythm for steps, as well as the ability to execute steps at various speeds.
S1: Teacher approval is required for 11 and 12 year olds, but not for 13 and up
S2: Teacher approval is required
S3: Teacher approval is required
Hip Hop: 11-18 year olds
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes.
Teacher approval is required for 11 and 12 year olds, but not for 13 and up
Modern/Lyrical Dance: 11-18 year olds
Modern and lyrical are dance styles that focus on expressively communicating the song through movement. They tell a story from the stage. Students will focus on spacial awareness, timing, shape and movement dynamics.
Teacher approval is required for 11 and 12 year olds, but not for 13 and up
Homeschool Dance: 11-18 year olds
This class will provide a combination of dance technique, terminology, and history so that homeschooled students can gain an appreciation of the art of dance while learning to perform the various styles the dance world has to offer. Students will study ballet every week. Each month we will study a different style of dance for the second half of class. Styles to be studied will include: jazz, tap, lyrical/liturgical, modern, and theatre dance. In this class, students will gain solid ballet technique while gaining an overview of the many other styles of dance and their history.
Teacher approval is not required
Hip Hop: 18 and up
Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance.
Teacher approval is not required
Tap: 18 and up
Tap focuses on developing rhythm and speed through intricate footwork. Students will learn proper execution and rhythm for steps, as well as the ability to execute steps at various speeds.
Teacher approval is not required
Ballet: 18 and up
Ballet is the foundation of all dance technique. Solid training in this genre will allow a performer to easily adjust to the various dance styles seen in dance and musical theatre industries. Our classes place equal emphasis on technique, alignment, terminology and execution as well as musicality and a love of the art form.
Teacher approval is not required
Private Dance Lessons: 10 years old and up
ArtWorks Academy offers private dance lessons for students 10 years old and up. Lessons are ½ hour per week. Individual instruction is offered in ballet, tap, jazz, or lyrical. Private dance lessons are meant to complement what the students are doing in their classes. Lessons place an emphasis on proper technique and enable dancers to focus on their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Students struggling with steps in dance or musical theatre classes may schedule one or two lessons to help them get back on track. Students wishing to push themselves as performers should schedule a weekly or biweekly lesson.
Lesson time to be arranged with instructor
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